Mechanics and Thermodynamics

Abstract

The present textbook represents the first part of a four-volume series on experimental Physics. It covers the field of Mechanics and Thermodynamics. One of its goal is to illustrate, that the explanation of our world and of all natural processes by Physics is always the description of models of our world, which are formulated by theory and proved by experiments. The continuous improvement of these models leads to a more detailled understanding of our world and of the processes that proceed in it. The representation of this textbook starts with an introductory chapter giving a brief survey of the his- tory and development of Physics and its present relevance for other sciences and for technology. Since experimental Physics is based on measuring techniques and quantitative results, a section discusses basic units, techniques for their measurements and the accuracy and possible errors of measurements.